Naeem Khan Spring 2016

Naeem Khan Spring 2016 is in part a tribute to the late Frida Kahlo, a Mexican painter who was known for her self portraits and her reverence for Mexican cultural tradition in her work. Spring-like colors are abundant in patterns and solids. Elements of Naeem’s admiration for the elegance of Old Hollywood Glamour also permeates the designs with body wrapping silks and palatial, ballroom styled gowns. There’s a bevy of colorful hand beaded and embroidered fashion, a hallmark of so much of his work and one of the things I adore about it. Knowing the painstaking effort that goes into hand made embroidery and beading first hand, it’s a craft I have a great respect and admiration for.

Vogue reported than Naeem had 600 people work on the collection but they were also a bit heavy handed in their critique of the dresses. In nearly every collection from every designer there is a “to each his own” factor and I think there is a woman and an occasion for each of these designs. I do though agree with them on the too tall platform heels being a misstep. Unless one wants body guards to hold them by each elbow as they walk, they’re an accident waiting to happen in lengths like these. They’re also a bit of a distraction paired with such attention grabbing dressing. I think delicate would have been a better way to go.